24 Aug 2022

Oranga Tamariki restructure bill passes

From Midday Report, 12:15 pm on 24 August 2022

Opposition MPs are labelling a restructure of the Ministry for Children as disappointing for our most vulnerable children.

Controversial legislation to restructure how Oranga Tamariki is monitored has passed its final vote in Parliament.

The Oranga Tamariki Oversight Bill has been met with fierce opposition from political parties and youth advocates.

It gets rid of the country's top watchdog for young people, the Children's Commissioner, in favour of a new system Labour says will be better.

ACT's Karen Chhour, who grew up in state care, told Māni Dunlop the Government had not listened to the very children it's trying to protect.